Summary

Diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia involves taking a clinical history, including signs and symptoms that reflect bone marrow dysfunction. They include fatigue, dyspnea, dizziness, bleeding, easy bruising, and recurrent infections. The symptoms are often nonspecific.

Physical examination may reveal pallor, ecchymoses, lymphadenopathy, or hepatosplenomegaly. There may also be evidence of tissue infiltration such as bone pain, testicular enlargement, and cranial nerve palsies.

Despite the aggressive management methods, less than 30% of adults with ALL can be cured. Long-term adverse effects of treatment include heart failure, sterility, secondary malignancies, and neurotoxicity.